Tissue grasping devices and related methods

ABSTRACT

A tissue gripping device is formed from a shape-memory material, and has a base section, a first arm, and a second arm disposed opposite the first arm, each arm having a first end coupled to the base section and a free end extending from the base section. The arms of the tissue gripping device are configured to resiliently flex toward a relaxed configuration in a distal direction as the tissue gripping device is moved from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration. The tissue gripping device is usable in a method for gripping tissue. The method includes positioning the tissue gripping device near target tissue and moving the tissue gripping device from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration in order to grip the target tissue.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/805,275 filed on Jul. 21, 2015, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to medical methods, devices, and systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods, devices, and systems for the endovascular, percutaneous, or minimally invasive surgical treatment of bodily tissues, such as tissue approximation or valve repair. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to repair of valves of the heart and venous valves, and devices and methods for removing or disabling mitral valve repair components through minimally invasive procedures.

Surgical repair of bodily tissues often involves tissue approximation and fastening of such tissues in the approximated arrangement. When repairing valves, tissue approximation often includes coapting the leaflets of the valves in a therapeutic arrangement which may then be maintained by fastening or fixing the leaflets. Such fixation of the leaflets can be used to treat regurgitation which most commonly occurs in the mitral valve.

Mitral valve regurgitation is characterized by retrograde flow from the left ventricle of a heart through an incompetent mitral valve into the left atrium. During a normal cycle of heart contraction (systole), the mitral valve acts as a check valve to prevent flow of oxygenated blood back into the left atrium. In this way, the oxygenated blood is pumped into the aorta through the aortic valve. Regurgitation of the valve can significantly decrease the pumping efficiency of the heart, placing the patient at risk of severe, progressive heart failure.

Mitral valve regurgitation can result from a number of different mechanical defects in the mitral valve or the left ventricular wall. The valve leaflets, the valve chordae which connect the leaflets to the papillary muscles, the papillary muscles themselves, or the left ventricular wall may be damaged or otherwise dysfunctional. Commonly, the valve annulus may be damaged, dilated, or weakened, limiting the ability of the mitral valve to close adequately against the high pressures of the left ventricle during systole.

The most common treatments for mitral valve regurgitation rely on valve replacement or repair including leaflet and annulus remodeling, the latter generally referred to as valve annuloplasty. One technique for mitral valve repair which relies on suturing adjacent segments of the opposed valve leaflets together is referred to as the “bow-tie” or “edge-to-edge” technique. While all these techniques can be effective, they usually rely on open heart surgery where the patient's chest is opened, typically via a sternotomy, and the patient placed on cardiopulmonary bypass. The need to both open the chest and place the patient on bypass is traumatic and has associated high mortality and morbidity.

In some patients, a fixation device can be installed into the heart using minimally invasive techniques. The fixation device can hold the adjacent segments of the opposed valve leaflets together to reduce mitral valve regurgitation. One such device used to clip the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve together is the MitraClip® fixation device, sold by Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, Calif., USA.

These fixation devices often include clips designed to grip and hold against tissue as the clip arms are moved and positioned against the tissue at the treatment site and then closed against the tissue. Such clips are designed to continue gripping the tissue as the fixation device is closed into a final position. In order to achieve this effect, such these clips are sometimes equipped with barbs or hooks to grip the tissue as the clip is flexed into position against the tissue.

However, some tissue fixation treatments require a fixation device to move through a wide range of grasping angles in order to be properly positioned relative to the target tissue and then to grasp the tissue and bring it to a closed position. This moving and plastically deforming components of the fixation device during pre-deployment, positioning, and closure of the device can lead to the weakening and pre-mature degradation of the fixation device. Additionally, some tissue fixation treatments require that the fixation device maintain a degree of flexibility and mobility to allow a range of physiological movement even after the device has been properly placed and the target tissue has been properly fixed into the desired position, This can increase the risk of pre-mature failure of the device as continued plastic deformation of the flexing components (e.g., from the continuous opening and closing of valve leaflets) leads to unfavorable degradation of the device.

For at least these reasons, there is an ongoing need to provide alternative and/or additional methods, devices, and systems for tissue fixation that may provide beneficial elasticity and durability of the flexing components without unduly increasing the associated manufacturing costs of the flexing components. There is also a need to provide such methods, devices, and systems in a manner that does not limit the tissue gripping ability of the tissue fixation device. At least some of the embodiments disclosed below are directed toward these objectives.

BRIEF SUMMARY

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a tissue gripping device, the tissue gripping device including: a base section; and a first arm having a first end coupled to the base section, and a free end extending from the base section; wherein the base section and the arm are formed of a shape-memory material configured to exhibit superelasticity in a physiological environment.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a tissue fixation system configured for intravascular delivery and for use in joining mitral valve tissue during treatment of the mitral valve, the system including: a body; a first and second distal element, each including a first end pivotally coupled to the body and extending to a free second end and a tissue engagement surface between the first and second end, the tissue engagement surface being configured to approximate and engage a portion of leaflets of the mitral valve; and a tissue gripping device formed of a shape-memory material, the tissue gripping device including a base section and a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a first end coupled to the base section and a free end extending from the base section, the first and second arms being disposed opposite one another and each arm being configured to cooperate with one of the first or second distal elements to form a space for receiving and holding a portion of mitral valve tissue therebetween.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of gripping tissue, the method including: positioning a tissue gripping device near a target tissue, the tissue gripping device being formed from a shape-memory material and including a base section and a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a first end coupled to the base section and a free end extending from the base section, the first and second arms being disposed opposite one another; and moving the tissue gripping device from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration, the first and second arms being configured to resiliently flex toward a relaxed configuration in a distal direction as the tissue gripping device is moved from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a tissue gripping device, the method including: cutting one or more structural features into a strip or sheet stock material of a shape-memory alloy, the one or more structural features including a plurality of slotted recesses disposed at one or more side edges of the stock material; and heat shape setting one or more bend features into the stock material.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a tissue fixation kit, the kit including: a tissue gripping system that includes an actuator rod, an actuator line, a first and second distal element, each including a first end pivotally coupled to the actuator rod and extending to a free second end and a tissue engagement surface between the first and second end, the first and second distal elements being positionable by the actuator rod, a tissue gripping device formed of a shape-memory material, the tissue gripping device including a base section, a first arm, and a second arm, each arm having a first end coupled to the base section and a free end extending from the base section, the tissue gripping device being positionable by the actuator line; a handle; and a delivery catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the tissue gripping system being couplable to the distal end of the delivery catheter and the handle being couplable to the proximal end of the delivery catheter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Embodiments of the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates free edges of leaflets of the mitral valve in normal coaptation, and

FIG. 2 illustrates the free edges in regurgitative coaptation;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate grasping of the leaflets with an embodiment of a fixation assembly, inversion of the distal elements of the fixation assembly, and removal of the fixation assembly, respectively;

FIG. 4 illustrates the embodiment of a fixation assembly of FIGS. 3A-3C in a desired orientation relative to the leaflets;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a fixation assembly coupled to a shaft;

FIGS. 6A-6B, 7A-7C, and 8 illustrate an embodiment of a fixation assembly in various possible positions during introduction and placement of the assembly within the body to perform a therapeutic procedure;

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate various views of an embodiment of a tissue gripping device according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a prior art tissue fixation method;

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate an embodiment of a tissue fixation method and device; and

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate an embodiment of a method of manufacture of a tissue gripping device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Cardiac Physiology

As shown in FIG. 1, the mitral valve (MV) consists of a pair of leaflets (LF) having free edges (FE) which, in patients with normal heart structure and function, meet evenly to close along a line of coaption (C). The leaflets (LF) attach to the surrounding heart structure along an annular region called the annulus (AN). The free edges (FE) of the leaflets (LF) are secured to the lower portions of the left ventricle LV through chordae tendinae (or “chordae”). As the left ventricle of a heart contracts (which is called “systole”), blood flow from the left ventricle to the left atrium through the mitral valve (MV) (called “mitral regurgitation”) is usually prevented by the mitral valve. Regurgitation occurs when the valve leaflets do not close properly and allow leakage from the left ventricle into the left atrium. A number of heart structural defects can cause mitral regurgitation. FIG. 2 shows a mitral valve with a defect causing regurgitation through a gap (G).

II. Exemplary Mitral Valve Fixation System

Several methods for repairing or replacing a defective mitral valve exist. Some defects in the mitral valve can be treated through intravascular procedures, where interventional tools and devices are introduced and removed from the heart through the blood vessels. One method of repairing certain mitral valve defects includes intravascular delivery of a fixation device to hold portions of the mitral valve tissues in a certain position. One or more interventional catheters may be used to deliver a fixation device to the mitral valve and install it there as an implant to treat mitral regurgitation.

FIG. 3A illustrates a schematic of an interventional tool 10 or a tissue fixation system with a delivery shaft 12 and a fixation device 14. The tool 10 has approached the mitral valve MV from the atrial side and grasped the leaflets LF. The fixation device 14 is releasably attached to the shaft 12 of the interventional tool 10 at the distal end of the shaft 12. In this application, when describing devices, “proximal” means the direction toward the end of the device to be manipulated by the user outside the patient's body, and “distal” means the direction toward the working end of the device that is positioned at the treatment site and away from the user. When describing the mitral valve, proximal means the atrial side of the leaflets and distal means the ventricular side of the leaflets. The fixation device 14 includes grippers 16 and distal elements 18 which protrude radially outward and are positionable on opposite sides of the leaflets LF as shown so as to capture or retain the leaflets therebetween. The fixation device 14 is coupleable to the shaft 12 by a coupling mechanism 17.

FIG. 3B illustrates that the distal elements 18 may be moved in the direction of arrows 40 to an inverted position. The grippers 16 may be raised as shown in FIG. 3C. In the inverted position, the device 14 may be repositioned and then be reverted to a grasping position against the leaflets as in FIG. 3A. Or, the fixation device 14 may be withdrawn (indicated by arrow 42) from the leaflets as shown in FIG. 3C. Such inversion reduces trauma to the leaflets and minimizes any entanglement of the device with surrounding tissues.

FIG. 4 illustrates the fixation device 14 in a desired orientation in relation to the leaflets LF. The mitral valve MV is viewed from the atrial side, so the grippers 16 are shown in solid line and the distal elements 18 are shown in dashed line. The grippers 16 and distal elements 18 are positioned to be substantially perpendicular to the line of coaptation C. During diastole (when blood is flowing from the left atrium to the left ventricle), fixation device 14 holds the leaflets LF in position between the grippers 16 and distal elements 18 surrounded by openings or orifices O which result from the diastolic pressure gradient, as shown in FIG. 4. Once the leaflets are coapted in the desired arrangement, the fixation device 14 is detached from the shaft 12 and left behind as an implant.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary fixation device 14. The fixation device 14 is shown coupled to a shaft 12 to form an interventional tool 10. The fixation device 14 includes a coupling member 19, a gripper 16 having a pair of opposed arms, and a pair of opposed distal elements 18. The distal elements 18 include elongate arms 53, each arm having a proximal end 52 rotatably connected to the coupling member 19 and a free end 54. Preferably, each free end 54 defines a curvature about two axes, axis 66 perpendicular to longitudinal axis of elongate arms 53, and axis 67 perpendicular to axis 66 or the longitudinal axis of elongate arms 53. Elongate arms 53 have tissue engagement surfaces 50. Elongate arms 53 and tissue engagement surfaces 50 are configured to engage 4-10 mm of tissue, and preferably 6-8 mm, along the longitudinal axis of elongate arms 53. Elongate arms 53 further include a plurality of openings.

The arms of the gripper 16 are preferably resiliently biased toward the distal elements 18. When the fixation device 14 is in the open position, each arm of the gripper 16 is separated from the engagement surface 50 near the proximal end 52 of elongate arm 53 and slopes toward the engagement surface 50 near the free end 54 with the free end of the gripper 16 contacting engagement surface 50, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Arms of gripper 16 can include a plurality of openings 63 and scalloped side edges 61 to increase their grip on tissue. The arms of gripper 16 optionally include a frictional element or multiple frictional elements to assist in grasping the leaflets. The frictional elements may include barbs 60 having tapering pointed tips extending toward tissue engagement surfaces 50. Any suitable frictional elements may be used, such as prongs, windings, bands, barbs, grooves, channels, bumps, surface roughening, sintering, high-friction pads, coverings, coatings or a combination of these. The gripper 16 may be covered with a fabric or other flexible material. Preferably, when fabrics or coverings are used in combination with barbs or other frictional features, such features will protrude through such fabric or other covering so as to contact any tissue engaged by gripper 16.

The fixation device 14 also includes an actuator or actuation mechanism 58. The actuation mechanism 58 includes two link members or legs 68, each leg 68 having a first end 70 which is rotatably joined with one of the distal elements 18 at a riveted joint 76 and a second end 72 which is rotatably joined with a stud 74. The actuation mechanism 58 includes two legs 68 which are each movably coupled to a base 69. Or, each leg 68 may be individually attached to the stud 74 by a separate rivet or pin. The stud 74 is joinable with an actuator rod which extends through the shaft 12 and is axially extendable and retractable to move the stud 74 and therefore the legs 68 which rotate the distal elements 18 between closed, open, and inverted positions. Immobilization of the stud 74 holds the legs 68 in place and therefore holds the distal elements 18 in a desired position. The stud 74 may also be locked in place by a locking feature. This actuator rod and stud assembly may be considered a first means for selectively moving the distal elements between a first position in which the distal elements are in a collapsed, low profile configuration for delivery of the device, a second position in which the distal elements are in an expanded configuration for positioning the device relative to the mitral valve, and a third position in which the distal elements are secured in position against a portion of the leaflets adjacent the mitral valve on the ventricular side.

FIGS. 6A-6B, 7A-7C, and 8 illustrate various possible positions of the fixation device 14 of FIG. 5. FIG. 6A illustrates an interventional tool 10 delivered through a catheter 86. The catheter 86 may take the form of a guide catheter or sheath. The interventional tool 10 comprises a fixation device 14 coupled to a shaft 12 and the fixation device 14 is shown in the closed position.

FIG. 6B illustrates a device similar to the device of FIG. 6A in a larger view. In the closed position, the opposed pair of distal elements 18 are positioned so that the tissue engagement surfaces 50 face each other. Each distal element 18 comprises an elongate arm 53 having a cupped or concave shape so that together the elongate arms 53 surround the shaft 12. This provides a low profile for the fixation device 14.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate the fixation device 14 in the open position. In the open position, the distal elements 18 are rotated so that the tissue engagement surfaces 50 face a first direction. Distal advancement of the actuator rod relative to shaft 12, and thus distal advancement of the stud 74 relative to coupling member 19, applies force to the distal elements 18 which begin to rotate around joints 76. Such rotation and movement of the distal elements 18 radially outward causes rotation of the legs 68 about joints 80 so that the legs 68 are directed slightly outwards. The stud 74 may be advanced to any desired distance correlating to a desired separation of the distal elements 18. In the open position, tissue engagement surfaces 50 are disposed at an acute angle relative to shaft 12, and can be at an angle of between 15 and 270 degrees relative to each other, preferably at an angle of between 45 and 225 degrees or between 90 and 180 degrees relative to each other (e.g., between 45 and 210 degrees, between 60 and 180 degrees, between 75 and 165 degrees, between 90 and 150 degrees, between 115 and 135 degrees, or 120 degrees). In the open position, the free ends 54 of elongate arms 53 may have a span therebetween of 1-40 mm, or 5-30 mm, usually 10-20 mm or 12-18 mm, and preferably 14-16 mm.

The arms of gripper 16 are typically biased outwardly toward elongate arms 53 when in a relaxed configuration. The arms of gripper 16 may be moved inwardly toward the shaft 12 and held against the shaft 12 with the aid of gripper lines 90 which can be in the form of sutures, wires, nitinol wire, rods, cables, polymeric lines, or other suitable structures. The gripper lines 90 can extend through a shaft of a delivery catheter (not shown) and connect with the gripper 16. The arms of the gripper 16 can be raised and/or lowered by manipulation of the gripper lines 90. For example, FIG. 7C illustrates gripper 16 in a lowered position as a result of releasing tension and/or providing slack to gripper lines 90. Once the device is properly positioned and deployed, the gripper lines can be removed by withdrawing them through the catheter and out the proximal end of the tool 10. The gripper lines 90 may be considered a second means for selectively moving the gripper 16 between a first position in which the gripper arms are in a collapsed, low profile configuration for delivery of the device and a second position in which the gripper arms are in an expanded configuration for engaging a portion of the leaflets adjacent the mitral valve on the atrial side.

In the open position, the fixation device 14 can engage the tissue which is to be approximated or treated. The interventional tool 10 is advanced through the mitral valve from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The distal elements 18 are then deployed by advancing actuator rod relative to shaft 12 to thereby reorient distal elements 18 to be perpendicular to the line of coaptation. The entire assembly is then withdrawn proximally and positioned so that the tissue engagement surfaces 50 contact the ventricular surface of the valve leaflets, thereby engaging the left ventricle side surfaces of the leaflets. The arms of the gripper 16 remain on the atrial side of the valve leaflets so that the leaflets lie between the proximal and distal elements. The interventional tool 10 may be repeatedly manipulated to reposition the fixation device 14 so that the leaflets are properly contacted or grasped at a desired location. Repositioning is achieved with the fixation device in the open position. In some instances, regurgitation may also be checked while the device 14 is in the open position. If regurgitation is not satisfactorily reduced, the device may be repositioned and regurgitation checked again until the desired results are achieved.

It may also be desired to invert distal elements 18 of the fixation device 14 to aid in repositioning or removal of the fixation device 14. FIG. 8 illustrates the fixation device 14 in the inverted position. By further advancement of actuator rod relative to shaft 12, and thus stud 74 relative to coupling member 19, the distal elements 18 are further rotated so that the tissue engagement surfaces 50 face outwardly and free ends 54 point distally, with each elongate arm 53 forming an obtuse angle relative to shaft 12.

The angle between elongate arms 53 when the device is inverted is preferably in the range of 180 to 360 degrees (e.g., 210 to 360 degrees, 240 to 360 degrees, 270 to 360 degrees, 300 to 360 degrees, or 330 to 360 degrees). Further advancement of the stud 74 further rotates the distal elements 18 around joints 76. This rotation and movement of the distal elements 18 radially outward causes rotation of the legs 68 about joints 80 so that the legs 68 are returned toward their initial position, generally parallel to each other. The stud 74 may be advanced to any desired distance correlating to a desired inversion of the distal elements 18. Preferably, in the fully inverted position, the span between free ends 54 is no more than 40 mm, or no more than 30 mm or 20 mm, usually less than 16 mm, preferably 1-15 mm, 5-15 mm, or 10-15 mm, more preferably 12-14 mm. Barbs 60 are preferably angled in the distal direction (away from the free ends of the grippers 16), reducing the risk that the barbs will catch on or lacerate tissue as the fixation device is withdrawn.

Once the distal elements 18 of the fixation device 14 have been positioned in a desired location against the ventricle side surfaces of the valve leaflets, the leaflets may then be captured between the gripper 16 and the distal elements 18. The arms of the gripper 16 are lowered toward the tissue engagement surfaces 50 by releasing tension from gripper lines 90, thereby releasing the arms of the gripper 16 so that they are then free to move, in response to the internal spring bias force formed into gripper 16, from a constrained, collapsed position to an expanded, deployed position with the purpose of holding the leaflets between the gripper 16 and the distal elements 18. If regurgitation is not sufficiently reduced and/or if one or more of the leaflets are not properly engaged, the arms of the gripper 16 may be raised and the distal elements 18 adjusted or inverted to reposition the fixation device 14.

After the leaflets have been captured between the gripper 16 and distal elements 18 in a desired arrangement, the distal elements 18 may be locked to hold the leaflets in this position or the fixation device 14 may be returned to or toward a closed position. This is achieved by retraction of the stud 74 proximally relative to coupling member 19 so that the legs 68 of the actuation mechanism 58 apply an upwards force to the distal elements 18, which, in turn, rotate the distal elements 18 so that the tissue engagement surfaces 50 again face one another. The released grippers 16 which are biased outwardly toward distal elements 18 are concurrently urged inwardly by the distal elements 18. The fixation device 14 may then be locked to hold the leaflets in this closed position. The fixation device 14 may then be released from the shaft 12.

The fixation device 14 optionally includes a locking mechanism for locking the device 14 in a particular position, such as an open, closed, or inverted position, or any position therebetween. The locking mechanism may include a release harness. Applying tension to the release harness may unlock the locking mechanism. Lock lines can engage a release harnesses of the locking mechanism to lock and unlock the locking mechanism. The lock lines can extend through a shaft of the delivery catheter. A handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft can be used to manipulate and decouple the fixation device 14.

Additional disclosure regarding such fixation devices 14 may be found in PCT Publication No. WO 2004/103162 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/216,787, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

III. Improved Gripping Device

Certain embodiments of tissue fixation devices of the present disclosure include a gripper formed from a shape-memory material. In preferred embodiments, the shape-memory material is configured to exhibit superelasticity when positioned in a physiological environment. Such shape-memory materials can include shape-memory alloys and/or shape-memory polymers. Shape-memory alloys included in embodiments of grippers of the present disclosure include copper-zinc-aluminum; copper-aluminum-nickel; nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys known as nitinol; nickel-titanium platinum; and nickel-titanium palladium alloys, for example. Shape-memory polymers included in embodiments of grippers of the present disclosure include biodegradable polymers, such as oligo(ε-caprolactone)diol, oligo(p-dioxanone)diol, and non-biodegradable polymers such as, polynorborene, polyisoprene, styrene butadiene, polyurethane-based materials, vinyl acetate-polyester-based compounds, for example. In preferred embodiments, the gripper is formed from nitinol. Such nitinol grippers can be configured with linear elastic properties, non-linear elastic properties, pseudo linear-elastic properties, or other elastic properties.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate various views of an embodiment of a tissue gripper 116 formed from a shape-memory material. In preferred embodiments, the tissue gripper 116 is formed from a nickel titanium alloy with transformation temperature (e.g., an austenite finish temperature (A_(f))) of −5 to 37 degrees C., or from −5 to 30 degrees C., or from −5 to 27 degrees C., or from −5 to 25 degrees C., or from −5 to 20 degrees C., or from −5 to 15 degrees C., or from −5 to 10 degrees C., or from 0 to 10 degrees C. In such embodiments, the gripper 116 can exhibit superelasticity at physiological temperatures, and can exhibit superelasticity during flexing, bending, and/or other maneuvering of the gripper 116. For instance, the gripper 116 can exhibit superelasticity during positioning and deployment of the device at a treatment site and/or during continued movement after being deployed.

During a mitral valve repair procedure or other tissue fixing procedure, for example, portions of the tissue gripping device may need to repeatedly pass through wide angles as multiple tissue grasping attempts are made and/or as the gripper 116 is moved into an acceptable position against the leaflets of the mitral valve or against other targeted tissue. Furthermore, even after deployment, the tissue gripper 116 may need to provide some amount of flexibility and movement as the repaired and/or fixated tissue continues to flex and/or move. For example, one situation where additional flexibility and movement may be necessary is where mitral valve tissue continues to flex against the gripper 116 during cardiac cycles. In other situations, additional flexibility and movement may be necessary as the repaired and/or fixated tissue flexes, shifts, stretches, or otherwise moves relative to an original fixed position, such as with various musculoskeletal tissues during various forms of physiological movement (e.g., in response to muscle contraction and/or relaxation, movement at a joint, and movement between adjacent or nearby connective tissues).

Forming the tissue gripper 116 from a shape-memory material such as nitinol may avoid plastic deformation of the tissue gripper 116 during these movements. In preferred embodiments, the shape-memory material is configured to exhibit superelasticity at physiological temperatures, thereby enabling the tissue gripper 116 to stay entirely within the elastic deformation range throughout its life within the body. Even more preferably, the shape-memory material is configured to exhibit superelasticity throughout the range of temperatures expected to be encountered during pre-deployment, deployment, and implanted use within the body (e.g., 0 to 40 degrees C., 5 to 40 degrees C., 10 to 37 degrees C., 15 to 37 degrees C., 20 to 37 degrees C., and 22 to 37 degrees C.).

For instance, in some embodiments, the shape-memory material can be nitinol, and the nitinol can be configured to have a hysteresis curve that leaves the tissue gripper 116 within the elastic deformation range throughout its life and throughout the range of temperatures that are expected to be encountered during pre-deployment, deployment, and implanted use within the body, or during any other time where the tissue gripper 116 is flexed and/or deformed, such as during post manufacturing testing and/or positioning within a delivery system prior to delivery to target tissue. Such embodiments can advantageously reduce and/or eliminate mechanical fatigue and degradation of the tissue gripper 116 from repeated and/or high levels of plastic deformation. In addition, as will be explained in more detail below, embodiments of the present disclosure can promote easier tissue grasping during deployment and/or positioning of the tissue gripper 116.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tissue gripper 116 includes a proximal side 114, a distal side 134, a base section 104, and a pair of arms 106. Each arm 106 may extend from the base section 104 to a free end 108. In other embodiments, there may be one arm extending from a base section, or there may be more than two arms extending from a base section. For example, some embodiments may have multiple arms arrayed about a base section (e.g., in a radial fashion), and/or may include a first plurality of arms disposed opposite a second plurality of arms.

The gripper 116 of the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of base bend features 110 disposed at the base section 104, and a pair of arm bend features 112 partitioning the arms 106 from the base section 104. The base bend features 110 form angles of 90 degrees or just under 90 degrees (e.g., 15 to 165 degrees, 30 to 150 degrees, 45 to 135 degrees, 60 to 120 degrees, 70 to 110 degrees, or 80 to 100 degrees) as measured from the proximal side 114, and the arm bend features 112 form angles of 90 degrees or just under 90 degrees (e.g., 15 to 165 degrees, 30 to 150 degrees, 45 to 135 degrees, 60 to 120 degrees, 70 to 110 degrees, or 80 to 100 degrees) as measured from the distal side 134.

The base bend features 110 and arm bend features 112 are configured to give the tissue gripper 116 a bent configuration when the tissue gripper 116 is in a relaxed state, such that when the tissue gripper 116 is forced into a stressed state (e.g., by bending the tissue gripper 116 at one or more of the base and/or arm bend features 110 and 112), the tissue gripper 116 is resiliently biased toward the relaxed state.

For example, an arm 106 may be positioned at the arm bend feature 112 in a manner that flexes the arm 106 in a proximal direction and an inward direction, thereby flexing the arm 106 toward a straighter configuration (e.g., increasing the angle of the arm bend feature 112 as measured from the distal side 134). In such a position, the tissue gripper 116 is in a stressed state such that the arm 106 of the tissue gripper 116 is resiliently biased toward a distal direction and an outward direction. Other embodiments may omit one or more of the bend features, and other embodiments may include additional bend features. These and other embodiments may include bend features with differing bend angles when in a relaxed state. For example, some embodiments may include bend features that measure greater than 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees when in a relaxed state.

In another example, prior to moving the tissue gripper 116 into position in the mitral valve or into position near other targeted tissue, the tissue gripper may be positioned in a pre-deployed configuration (see, e.g., FIGS. 6A-7B and related discussion) by positioning the arm bend features 112 toward a straighter configuration. The tissue grippers of the present disclosure, such as illustrated tissue gripper 116, beneficially and advantageously can be moved into such a pre-deployed configuration without being plastically deformed at the arm bend features 112 and/or at other areas. Accordingly, tissue gripper 116 may move from such a pre-deployed configuration back toward a relaxed configuration by allowing the arms 106 to move distally and outwardly. In preferred embodiments, the relaxed configuration, after the tissue gripper 116 has been moved into a pre-deployed configuration and back, is the same or substantially the same as prior to the tissue gripper 116 being moved into the pre-deployed configuration and back (e.g., the angles at the arm bend features 112 in the relaxed configuration are unchanged, as opposed to being altered as a result of plastic deformation).

The tissue gripper 116 of the illustrated embodiment may include a plurality of holes 118 distributed along the length of each arm 106. The holes 118 may be configured to provide a passage or tie point for one or more sutures, wires, nitinol wires, rods, cables, polymeric lines, other such structures, or combinations thereof. As discussed above, these materials may be coupled to one or more arms 106 to operate as gripper lines (e.g., gripper lines 90 illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C) for raising, lowering, and otherwise manipulating, positioning and/or deploying the tissue gripper 116. In some embodiments, for example, suture loops or other structures may be positioned at one or more of the holes 118, and one or more gripper lines may be threaded, laced, or otherwise passed through the suture loops. Such suture loops or other suture fastening structures may be wrapped and/or threaded a single time or multiple times before being tied, tightened, or otherwise set in place. For example, some suture lines may be wrapped repeatedly and/or may double back on themselves in order to strengthen or further secure the coupling of the suture loop to an arm 106.

Other embodiments may include a tissue gripper with more or less holes and/or with holes in other positions of the tissue gripper. For example, some embodiments may omit holes completely, and some embodiments may include only one hole and/or only one hole per arm. Other embodiments may include holes of different shapes and/or sizes, such as holes formed as slots, slits, or other shapes. In embodiments where more than one hole is included, the holes may be uniform in size, shape, and distribution or may be non-uniform in one or more of size, shape, and distribution.

Each arm 106 of the illustrated embodiment includes a furcated section 120. The furcated section 120 may extend from the base section 104 to a position farther along the arm 106 toward the free end 108 of the arm 106, as illustrated. In other embodiments, a furcated section may be positioned at other locations along an arm and/or base section. Other embodiments may include one or more furcated sections extending completely to the free end of an arm, thereby forming a bifurcated or fork-shaped arm. Other embodiments omit any furcated sections. The furcated sections 120 of the illustrated embodiment coincide with the arm bend features 112. The furcated sections 120 may be configured (e.g., in size, shape, spacing, position, etc.) so as to provide desired resiliency, fatigue resistance, and/or flexibility at the coinciding arm bend features 112.

As illustrated, the tissue gripper 116 includes a plurality of frictional elements 128 configured to engage with tissue at a treatment site and resist movement of tissue away from the tissue gripping member after the frictional elements 128 have engaged with the tissue. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the frictional elements 128 are formed as angled barbs extending distally and inwardly from a side edge 130 of the arms 106 of the gripper 116. In this manner, tissue that is engaged with the frictional elements 128 of a tissue gripper 116 is prevented from moving proximally and outwardly relative to the tissue gripper 116.

The frictional elements 128 of the illustrated tissue gripper 116 protrude from a side edge 130 of each of the arms 106, thereby forming a plurality of slotted recesses 132 disposed along side edges 130 of each arm 106 at sections adjacent to the frictional elements 128. Other embodiments may include frictional elements of varying size, number, and/or shape. For example, in some embodiments the frictional elements may be formed as posts, tines, prongs, bands, grooves, channels, bumps, pads, or a combination of these or any other feature suitable for increasing friction and/or gripping of contacted tissue.

Embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure can provide particular advantages and benefits in relation to a tissue gripping and/or tissue fixation procedure. For example, at least one embodiment of the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure can include moving and/or flexing a tissue gripper from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration at a wider angle (e.g., angle in which the arms of the gripping device are separated) than that disclosed by the prior art, providing advantages such as better grasping ability, less tissue trauma, better grasping of separate portions of tissue simultaneously (e.g., opposing leaflets of the mitral valve), reduced slip-out of tissue during additional device movements or procedural steps (e.g., during a closing step), reduced grasping force required in order to grip the targeted tissue, or combinations thereof. In addition, tissue grippers of the present disclosure may be moved into a pre-deployed configuration without resulting plastic deformation affecting the range of grasping angles of the device.

In addition, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure can include increased resistance to mechanical fatigue than that disclosed by the prior art. For example, at least some of the tissue gripping devices of the present disclosure can be formed of a shape-memory material that provides resistance to progressive weakening of the device as a result of repeatedly applied and/or cyclic loads. For instance, as compared to a tissue gripping device not formed from a shape-memory material, at least some of the tissue gripping devices of the present disclosure have enhanced resistance to the formation of microscopic cracks and other stress concentrators (e.g., at grain boundaries or other discontinuity locations of the material).

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a prior art gripping system 200 in use in a tissue gripping application. FIG. 10A shows a tissue gripper 290 made from a plastically deformable material positioned in a pre-deployed configuration. A pair of distal elements 280 is illustrated in an open position at 120 degrees, as measured from a proximal side, the pair of distal elements being positioned near target tissue 270 on the distal side of target tissue. Upon movement or release of the tissue gripper 290 from the pre-deployment configuration, the arms of the tissue gripper 290 move slightly in a proximal and outward direction toward the target tissue 270. However, the tissue gripper 290 is only able to reach a deployment angle, as measured by the separation of the opposing arms of the tissue gripper 290 on the proximal side, of 85 degrees. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, this may result in incomplete or missed grasping of the target tissue 270, as the arms of the tissue gripper 290 are unable to flex or extend outwardly and proximally far enough to fully engage with the target tissue 270.

As illustrated in FIG. 10C, gripping of the target tissue 270 requires at least an additional step of closing the distal elements 280 to 60 degrees in order to grip the target tissue 270 between the distal elements 280 and the arms of the tissue gripper 290 by moving the distal elements 280 proximally and inwardly toward the tissue gripper 290. During this step and/or during the interim between the position illustrated in FIG. 10B and the position illustrated in FIG. 10C, the target tissue 270 may move or slip away from the gripping system 200. In addition, the position of the target tissue 270 or portions of the target tissue 270 may shift relative to the tissue gripper 290 and/or the distal elements 280, requiring repositioning of the gripping system 200 and/or its components. This can be particularly problematic in procedures, such as mitral valve repair procedures, where the target tissue is rapidly and continuously moving, where multiple portions of target tissue must be grasped simultaneously, and where precise gripping position is demanded. Such limitations limit the number of available tissue gripping and/or fixation procedures and their effectiveness.

In contrast, FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate an embodiment of a tissue gripping system 300 of the present disclosure in a tissue gripping application. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, a pair of distal elements 318 are coupled to a body 336 (e.g., an actuator rod) and are associated with a tissue gripper 316. The tissue gripping system 300 may be positioned at or near target tissue 370, where the tissue gripper 316 can be positioned in a pre-deployed configuration with the arms of the tissue gripper 316 extending proximally from the base of the tissue gripper 316. In addition, the distal elements 318 may be moved to a distal side of the target tissue before, during, or after being positioned in an open configuration with an opening angle 340 of 120 degrees (e.g., 60 to 180 degrees, 75 to 165 degrees, 90 to 150 degrees, 105 to 135 degrees, 100 to 140 degrees, or 110 to 130 degrees). In other embodiments, the opening angle 340 may be more or less than 120 degrees (e.g., 60 to 90 degrees, or 90 to 120 degrees, or 120 to 150 degrees, or 150 to 180 degrees), though in preferred embodiments, the opening angle 340 is at least 120 degrees or more (e.g., 120 to 180 degrees). In some embodiments, the opening angle 340 can be more than 180 degrees (e.g., 190 degrees or 200 degrees or more).

As illustrated in FIG. 11B, after positioning the distal elements 318, the tissue gripper 316 can be moved and/or dropped from the pre-deployed configuration, where the arms of the tissue gripper 316 are positioned in a stressed state, toward a deployed configuration, where the arms flex and/or move toward a relaxed state. The tissue gripper 316 may be moved, dropped, or otherwise actuated using, for example, one or more gripper lines (such as those illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C).

As illustrated in FIG. 11B, upon actuation, the tissue gripper 316 moves outwardly and distally to fully engage with the target tissue 370, and to fully engage the target tissue 370 against the proximal surface of the distal elements 318 by closing to an actuation angle 342 (as measured from the proximal side) that is substantially similar to the opening angle 340 of the distal elements 318. For example, the actuation angle 342 may equal the opening angle 340 or may be slightly smaller than the opening angle 340 (e.g., by 1 to 30 degrees, or 1 to 20 degrees, or 1 to 10 degrees, or 1 to 5 degrees or less) as a result of target tissue 370 being gripped between the distal elements 318 and the arms of the tissue gripper 316.

As shown by FIG. 11B, the full length of the arms of the tissue gripper 316 may be engaged against the target tissue 370 upon actuation of the tissue gripper 316 towards the deployed configuration. For example, because the actuation angle 342 is the same as or is substantially similar to the opening angle 340, any separation between the proximal surfaces of the distal elements 318 and the arms of the tissue gripper 316 is due to an amount of target tissue 370 caught and/or engaged between the arms of the tissue gripper 316 and a proximal surface of a distal element 318.

The tissue gripper 316 can be configured to provide an actuation angle 342 that is 90 to 180 degrees. In preferred embodiments, the actuation angle is 120 degrees (e.g., 60 to 180 degrees, 75 to 165 degrees, 90 to 150 degrees, 105 to 135 degrees, 100 to 140 degrees, or 110 to 130 degrees). In other embodiments, the actuation angle 342 may be more or less than 120 degrees (e.g., 60 to 90 degrees, or 90 to 120 degrees, or 120 to 150 degrees, or 150 to 180 degrees).

In preferred embodiments, the tissue gripper 316 is configured such that the arms of the tissue gripper 316 resiliently flex against target tissue 370 and/or distal elements 318 after moving from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration. For example, the tissue gripper 316 can be configured such that, when positioned in a relaxed configuration, the arms of the tissue gripper 316 are open at an angle that is greater than a selected opening angle 340 of the distal elements 318. In some embodiments, for example, the arms of the tissue gripper 316, while positioned in a relaxed configuration, can be angled apart, as measured from a proximal side, at 180 degrees or slightly more than 180 degrees (e.g., 190 to 200 degrees). In such embodiments, the opening angle 340 of the distal elements 318 can be less than the angle between the arms of the tissue gripper 316 (e.g., 60 to 180 degrees, or 90 to 150 degrees, or 120 degrees). For example, when the opening angle 340 is 120 degrees, the actuation angle 344 of the tissue gripper 316 will expand to reach 120 degrees or beyond 120 degrees after moving toward a deployed configuration, but the arms of the tissue gripper 316 will not have moved to the full extent of the relaxed configuration. Thus, the arms of the tissue gripper 316, in such embodiments, will continue to resiliently flex against target tissue 370 and/or distal elements 318 even after expanding the full range of the actuation angle 344.

Accordingly, in such embodiments, when the tissue gripper 316 is moved from the pre-deployed configuration toward the deployed configuration, the arms of the tissue gripper 316 abut against the target tissue 370 and/or the distal elements 318 before reaching the full distal and outward extension of the relaxed configuration. In this manner, the arms of the tissue gripper 316 can resiliently flex against the target tissue 370 and/or distal elements 318 even after the tissue gripper 316 has moved the full or substantially full extent of the actuation angle 342.

In preferred embodiments, the tissue gripper 316, opening angle 340, and actuation angle 342 are configured such that when the tissue gripper 316 moves toward a deployed configuration and engages with target tissue 370, the tissue gripper 316 exerts a force of from 0.06 to 0.10 pounds against the target tissue 370. In other embodiments, the tissue gripper can exert a force of from 0.06 to 0.12 pounds or from 0.12 to 0.17 pounds, for example.

FIG. 11C illustrates that, in some embodiments, following movement of the tissue gripper 316 toward a deployed configuration, the distal elements 318 may be closed or partially closed in order to move or position the target tissue 370 and/or the components of the tissue gripping system 300 to a desired position and/or to assess the grasped tissue prior to further closing and release of the tissue gripping system 300. For example, the distal elements 318 can be actuated toward a closing angle 344 in order to move the distal elements 318 and the arms of the tissue gripper 316, as well as any target tissue 370 grasped therebetween, into a closed position. In some embodiments, the closing angle 344 will be 60 degrees, or will range from 0 to 90 degrees (e.g., 0 to 30 degrees or 30 to 60 degrees or 60 degrees to 90 degrees). In other embodiments, closing or partially closing the distal elements is omitted. For example, the tissue gripping system 300 or components thereof may be left in place or may be considered as properly positioned after moving the tissue gripper 316 through the actuation angle 342, without additional closing of the tissue gripping system 300.

Various tissue gripping and/or tissue fixation procedures may call for different closing angles 344 to be used. For example, a closing angle 344 of 60 degrees or less may be useful in assessing the sufficiency of a tissue grasping attempt in a mitral valve regurgitation procedure, and a closing angle 344 that is greater than 60 degrees (e.g., up to 180 degrees) may be useful in a functional mitral valve regurgitation procedure and/or in assessing the sufficiency of a tissue grasping attempt in a functional mitral valve regurgitation procedure.

IV. Methods of Manufacture

Embodiments of tissue gripping devices of the present disclosure may be manufactured by forming a tissue gripper from a shape-memory material (such as nitinol), as illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12C. Forming the tissue gripper may be accomplished by cutting a pattern shape from a shape-memory stock material 450. The stock material 450 can be strip stock, sheet stock, band stock, or other forms of stock material.

The stock material 450 may be subjected to a subtractive manufacturing processes in order to prepare the stock material 450 with a suitable size and shape prior to further manufacturing. For example, grinding of one or more surfaces of the stock material 450 may be carried out in order to achieve a desired dimension and/or a desired uniformity along a given direction (e.g., grinding of a top and/or bottom surface to achieve a desired thickness).

As illustrated in FIG. 12B, various structural features (e.g., furcated sections 420, holes 418, slotted recesses 432) may be formed in the stock material 450. This may be accomplished using any suitable subtractive manufacturing process such as drilling, lathing, die stamping, cutting, or the like. In preferred embodiments, features are formed using a laser cut or wire-EDM process. For example, in preferred embodiments, a plurality of slotted recesses 432 are formed in the stock material 450 using a laser cutting process. In some embodiments, other features may be added using an additive manufacturing process.

As illustrated in FIG. 12C, in some embodiments, the tissue gripper may be further processed through a shape setting process. For example, one or more bend features may be formed in the tissue gripper by subjecting the tissue gripper to a heated shape setting process in order to set the shape of the bend(s) in the shape-memory material of the tissue gripper. For example, in embodiments including grippers formed from nitinol, the austenite phase (i.e., parent phase or memory phase) can be set with the desired bend features. In some embodiments, this requires positioning and/or forming the desired shape while heating the gripper to a temperature high enough to fix the shape as part of the austenite phase (e.g., 300 to 700 degrees C.).

For example, one or more of the base bend features 410, arm bend features 412, and frictional elements 428 may be formed in a heat shape setting process. In some embodiments, these features may be set at the same time in one heat shape setting process. In other embodiments, multiple heat shape setting steps may be used, such as a first heat shape setting process to form the base bend features 410, followed by a second heat shape setting process to form the arm bend features 412, followed by a third heat shape setting process to form the frictional elements 428 (e.g., by bending portions of the side edge 430 adjacent to slotted recesses 432 in order to form distally and inwardly projecting barbs). In yet other embodiments, other combinations of features may be set in any suitable number of heat shape setting steps in order to form the tissue gripper 416.

In preferred embodiments, the arm bend features 412 are formed in a heat shape setting process such that the angle between the opposing arms 406, as measured from a proximal side 414 while the tissue gripper 416 is in a relaxed configuration, is 180 degrees or is slightly more than 180 degrees (e.g., 185 to 200 degrees). In such embodiments, the tissue gripper 416 formed as a result of the manufacturing process can be moved into a pre-deployed configuration by bending the arm bend features 412 to move the arms 406 proximally and inwardly. In such a stressed state, the arms 406 will resiliently flex toward the relaxed configuration for the full range of angles up to the relaxed configuration of 180 degrees or slightly more than 180 degrees. In addition, because the tissue gripper 416 is formed of a shape-memory material such as nitinol, and is configured to exhibit superelasticity at operational and physiological temperatures, the arms 406 of the tissue gripper 416 are able to move from the relaxed configuration to the pre-deployed configuration without being plastically deformed, and are thus able to fully flex toward the original relaxed configuration and return to the original relaxed configuration.

In some embodiments, one or more additional manufacturing processes may be performed to prepare a tissue gripper 416. For example, mechanical deburring (e.g., small particulate blasting) and/or electropolishing (e.g., to clean edges and passivate the tissue gripper 416) may be performed on the tissue gripper 416, or on parts thereof. Such additional processes may be done prior to, intermittent with, or after one or more heat shape setting processes. In addition, the tissue gripper 416 may be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath (e.g., with DI water and/or isopropyl alcohol, in combination or in succession).

V. Kits

Kit embodiments can include any of the components described herein, as well as additional components useful for carrying out a tissue gripping procedure. Kits may include, for example, a tissue gripping system as described herein, including a tissue gripper, distal elements, actuator rod, and actuator lines (such as lock lines and gripper lines), a delivery catheter, and a handle, the tissue gripping system being couplable to the delivery catheter at a distal end of the delivery catheter and the handle being couplable to the delivery catheter at a proximal end of the delivery catheter. In such embodiments, the actuator lines and/or actuator rod can pass from the tissue gripping system through lumens of the delivery catheter and to the handle, and the handle can include one or more controls for actuating or otherwise controlling the components of the tissue gripping system.

Some embodiments of kits may include additional interventional tools, such as a guidewire, dilator, needle, and/or instructions for use. Instructions for use can set forth any of the methods described herein. The components of the kit can optionally be packaged together in a pouch or other packaging, and in preferred embodiments will be sterilized. Optionally, separate pouches, bags, trays, or other packaging may be provided within a larger package such that smaller packages can be opened separately to separately maintain the components in a sterile manner.

The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used herein represent an amount or condition close to the stated amount or condition that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. In addition, unless expressly described otherwise, all amounts (e.g., temperature amounts, angle measurements, dimensions measurements, etc.) are to be interpreted as being “approximately,” “about,” and/or “substantially” the stated amount, regardless of whether the terms “approximately,” “about,” and/or “substantially.”

Additionally, elements described in relation to any embodiment depicted and/or described herein may be combinable with elements described in relation to any other embodiment depicted and/or described herein. For example, any element described in relation to an embodiment depicted in FIGS. 9A-9C may be combinable an embodiment described in FIGS. 11A-11C.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tissue fixation system configured for intravascular delivery and for heart valve tissue treatment, comprising: a center portion defining a longitudinal axis; a distal element pivotally moveable relative the longitudinal axis; and a gripper formed of a shape-memory material, wherein at least a portion of the gripper is configured to move relative to the distal element to capture native valve leaflet tissue therebetween, wherein the gripper includes: a bend configured to flex to allow the gripper to move relative to the distal element, and a furcated section having an opening defined therein, the opening including: a first end portion having a first maximum cross-dimension defined at a widest location within the first end portion, and a second end portion having a second maximum cross-dimension defined at a widest location within the second end portion, wherein the first maximum cross-dimension is different than the second maximum cross dimension.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening of the furcated section is fully enclosed.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion each have a terminal end.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end portion comprises curved opposing lateral edges.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the gripper comprises at least one barb.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first end portion is disposed proximate the at least one barb.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the first end portion is disposed closer to the at least one barb than the second end portion.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a length of the furcated section is within the bend.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end portion is located closer to the bend than the first end portion.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second maximum cross-dimension is greater than the first maximum cross-dimension.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the second end portion comprises opposing lateral edges tapered towards the first end portion.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second end portion opposing lateral edges are curved.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second end portion has a radiused terminal end. 